Nature Walk: Horse Gentian

Common names of plants may indicate use, what the plant looks like or even the person who first named the species. Scientific names may reveal characteristics of the species or again the person who first described it. Horse gentian, feverwort, tinker's root and false coffee are common names for Triosteum perfoliatum. The plant was named feverwort for its medicinal properties; tinker's root for the man who named it; and false Coffee as a substitute for coffee. Triosteum is for the three seeds it produces and perfoliatum for leaves that wrap around the stem. It is fairly common in dry open woodland and is a member of the Honeysuckle family.

Do you have a favorite common name for a plant? Do you know how it got its name?

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